This podcast covers Lesson 7 of Profiles of Perseverance Bible Study by Melanie Newton.

Covered by God’s Grace as You Persevere

The humble heart of David

• David was a man after God’s own heart. He loved God. But, he was still a sinner like every human who has lived since Adam.
• When finally confronted with that sin (he knew what he had done), the greatness of David surfaces in his willingness to face his sin and to return wholeheartedly to God. His humble heart before God became a repentant heart.
• God is interested in our heart God responds to humble hearts willing to repent of sin and approach life God’s way instead.
• Because of God’s abundant grace, David was cleansed and forgiven. David could persevere in his role as king, and God could still use him as a vessel God could use for His glory.
• There is no sin that is too big for God. God knows who we are without Him—helpless, dirty rotten sinners who are enemies of God. That’s why God stepped in and did something about it. Romans 5:8

The amazing grace of God

• What is God’s grace? God’s grace is His undeserved favor abundantly poured out on those who desperately need Him. God gives His grace to us because of His great love for us. Ephesians 2:4
• In His grace, God offers forgiveness for all our sins and gives us new life that lasts forever plus many more fabulous blessings. We receive His grace by doing one thing: putting our faith in His Son Jesus Christ. By faith alone, God’s grace is given to us. And, He does that knowing we will still sin against Him. That’s what is also so amazing about God’s grace.
• God demonstrates His own love for us in forgiving us of those sins just because we have trusted in Jesus. By faith, we receive God’s amazing grace. Not by performance or perfection. Yet, God’s grace fosters an eagerness for doing good and gives us the freedom from the trap of sin.

Freedom from the trap of sin

• Being a Christian is not equal to being a model of perfection. It is not impossible for believers to sin, but it is stupid to do so.
• When Jesus died, He released us from our bondage to sin. We have died to sin’s claim on our lives. We were like prisoners who have been presented with an open door to freedom. Why would we choose to go back into the cell? Instead, we can now choose to be slaves to goodness.
• When we trusted Christ as Savior, our identity was changed. We are new spiritual creations. But, our sin nature still remains in our bodies somewhere. We still have that natural desire to go our own way. The Holy Spirit can empower us to obey God and walk in a newness of life, but He will not force us to do it. That is a choice we make each day.
• The Christian life is a process, not a one-time event. It takes perseverance every day to live by the Spirit and not walk by the flesh. You have to continually make that choice.

Walking with God through the consequences of sin

• Though David fell in his walk of faith, he got back up and went on with his life. He was able to cling to what he knew to be true about God, such as God’s sovereignty, God’s mercy, and God’s love for us even during times of discipline.
• Sin cannot change our identity or position in Christ. It cannot change our eternal destiny. Those things are done deals from the moment of our salvation.
• Sin can influence how our lives look today. Sometimes we make a mess of our lives by our foolish choices and decisions. Yet, God’s grace often prevents the full weight of the consequences from happening.
• When we recognize sin in our lives, we can agree with God that we have sinned (confession). Then, we can repent—turn from that sin and go God’s way with our lives. Our broken heart can become a repaired heart.
• God’s throne is a place of grace! Because of Jesus’ shed blood on the cross, we can draw near with confidence to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find help in our time of need.
• God’s grace is His undeserved favor abundantly poured out on those who desperately need him. His grace overflows to you every single day. You are completely forgiven and covered in God’s grace not because you are good enough to deserve it but because His love chooses to do so. We all receive it when we trust in Jesus.

“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4, NASB).”

We can have hope because we have God with us. So, remember our lane markers for the race.

#1. Choose to persevere through every challenge.

#2. Count on God’s promise to give you hope.

#3. Let that hope sustain you through the rough-and-tumble of life.

#4. Celebrate the joyful reward.

Let Jesus satisfy your heart with hope so you can persevere through life.

Joyful Walk Bible Studies by Melanie Newton are available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.